Dishwashing machine



March 3, 1942. A. o. wlEGHART DISHWASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22, 1959 March 3, 1942. A. o. WIEGHART DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 3, 1942. A. o. WIEGHART DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fizz/ aff Q5567? @MJX I? Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES*PATENT OFFICE DISHWASHING MACHINE Albert 0. Wieghart, Chicago, 1!]. Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 269,316

Claims. Cl. 141-9) The invention relates to dish washers, and more particularly it relates to motor driven dish washing machines.

The invention has among its objects the provision of an improved dish washing mechanism of the kind described in which the various operating parts are adapted to be easily assembled and installed as a unit in any suitable portable or stationary container.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dish washing mechanism comprising an assembly of fixed and movable members, said fixed members being substantially symmetrically arranged about a vertical axis and the movable members being rotatable about said axis and operable thereby to elevate a column of water and discharge it in the form of sprays or jets through horizontally revolving nozzles in constantiy varying directions, the Water being rapidly re-circulated so that thorough cleansing is quickly accomplished by the circulation of a relatively small amount of Water.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dish washing machine comprising a relatively small number of parts which are easily and quickly assembled to provide an operating unit, the construction of said parts being such that little or no machining is required and as a result, are inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a dish Washer of the kind described in which gears and similar members subject to rapid wear and noise in operation are entirely eliminated.

Other objects of the invention include the pro-. vision of a dish washing machine which is simple, durable, efllcient, and inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims. I

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational and partial vertical sectional view of a machine embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine as it appears with the cover and basket removed;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational and partial sectional view of the machine with the lower portion of the cabinet omitted;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a pump and rotary spray nozzles comprising a portion of a machine embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 drawn to a smaller scale; and

Fig. 6 is a. view of a liquid level control device forming a portion of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a machine embodying the principles of the invention is shown as mountedin a portable cabinet H1. The cabinet may be constructed of any suitable material such as enamelled sheet metal and is open at its upper and lower ends. lower open end is bounded by a base member ll having a plurality of casters or dome members l2 by means of which the cabinet is supported one floor and provides a space through which air may enter and circulate inside of the cabinet. The cabinet I0 is shown as substantially rectangular in cross section but. obviously it may be circular or of any other convenient configuration. The upper'end of the cabinet I0 is bounded by a marginal member 13 terminating in a downwardly extending flange member [4, spaced from the side walls of the cabinet, and forming a support for the machine or dish washing apparatus for which the cabinet provides a housing.

The dish washing machine or apparatus. in general comprises an assembled unit consisting of a tank 15, a rotary pump l6 and amotor I! for actuating the pump, it being understood that the unit is adapted for mounting in either the cabinet ID or in any other movable container or in a fixed container or support such as a sink or the like having an opening in its bottom and underneath and from which the unit may be suspended or otherwise supported.

The tank I5 is preferably concentric with the cabinet l0 and is provided with a rim l8 resting on and fastened to the flange member M by bolts l9 or the like. The flange member l4 and the rim l8 are so-constructed that the tank I5 is symmetrical and evenly balanced about its vertical center line. The pump I6 is suspended from the bottom of the tank IS in substantially symmetrical and evenly balanced relation to its center line and with said center line coinciding with the center line of the tank. The pump I6 is fastened to the tank l5 by bolts or screws 20 extending through a gasket 34 positioned between the pump and tank to provide a water-tight con- The ' basket.

which the motor shaft 28 extends.

nection. The motor H is suspended from the pump It by means of rods or bars 2! so arranged that the axis of rotation of the motor shaft coincides with the vertical axis of the pump and the tank I5. The bars 2! are of a length such that the motor [1 is positioned above the bottom of the cabinet ill. The tank, pump, and motor are preferably assembled and connected before being installed in and suspended from the cabinet. The described construction and assembly provides a suspended operating unit having a balance of weight and symmetry relative to the axis of rotation tending to eliminate or minimize vibrations during operation. The simplicity of construction and the arrangement of the members comprising the unit also contribute to low cost of manufacture and economical operation.

The tank I5 is closed by a cover 22 having a hinged member 23 connecting the cover with the tank. A basket 24, supported by legs 25 positioned in sockets 26, provides a receptacle for plates, saucers and the like in vertical spaced position preferably at obtuse angles to radial lines extend ng therethrough from the axis of the The means for mounting the dishes in such vertical positions is not illustrated nor are they further described since they are old and well known in the art and are not claimed as part of the invention. The basket 24 substantially fills the top of the tank I 5, leaving a clear space above the normal water level and near the bottom of the tank for the revolution of discharge nozzles 2? as hereinafter described and operable thereby to direct water against the dishes contained in the basket.

The motor I! is connected with a source of electrical power by any suitable means, not shown. such as conductors controlled by a switch. A shaft 28 operatively connects the movable parts of the rotary pump [6 with the motor 11. The stationary portion of the pump I6 comprises a vertically extending cylindrical casing 29 opening into the tank I5, and also an upper horizontal partition plate 30, a lower horizontal partition plate 3| and a water supply conduit 32, all integrally formed with the casing 29 and hereinafter more particularly described. The lower end of the pump casing 29 is closed by a head member 33 having a threaded connection with the casing. The inner face of the head member 33 slopes downwardly and outwardly from the center to facilitate complete evacuation of Water from the pump and the outer face of the member provides a downwardly projecting hollow cylinder 34 connected therewith as shown in Fig. 4, and through The cylinder 34 provides a housing for an assembly of members forming a water-tight seal between the shaft 28 and the head member 33 and producing a substantially frictionless bearing for the shaft. The function and operation of the members assembled in. the cylinder 34 being old and well known, furthjer description thereof is omitted as unnecessary to a proper understanding of the invention.

The upper end of the shaft 28 is connected directly'withi a rotor disc 35 positioned between the head member 33 and the plate 3| and carrying a plurality of blades 38 and 3'! symmetrically positioned about the axis of rotation of the shaft. The portion of the conduit 32 projecting above the plate 39 is vertical and concentric with the. axis of rotation of the shaft 28. The blades 36 and 3? are convex in the direction of their rotation with conduit is integral with the plate 35 and is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the pump casing 29. The conduit 32 is also integrally formed with the plate 39 and that portion of the conduit between the plates 39 and 3! is spiralled and so positioned with relation to the vertical portion of the conduit that resistance to flow through the spiralled portion is minimized.

The upper end of the conduit 32 terminates intermediate the bottom of the tank l5 and the basket 24 at an elevation above the normal water level shown in Fig. 1. A water distributing device consisting of a hood member 38, enclosing the upper end of the supply conduit 32, and three horizontally extending equally spaced radial supply tubes 39 are connected with the conduit. The upper end of the conduit 32 is closed and has a plurality of horizontally extending bores e9 connecting it with an exterior annular recess ii. The hood member 38 is so positioned on the conduit 32 that the recess M is enclosed by the member and connects the bores 49 with the tubes 39. The hood member 38 is maintained in position on the conduit 32 by means of a bolt 52 adapting the member to be rotated about the conduit as an axis by the reaction of the water discharged from the nozzles 21 as hereinafter more particularly described. The outer ends of the tubes 39 are closed and each terminates in a vertically extending tubular member 53. Each member 63 connects its tube 39 with two discharge nozzles 21 mounted on diametrically opposite edges of a disc 44. Each tubular member 43 has a plurality of horizontally extending bores 4.5 connecting its interior with an outer annular recess 46. The discs 44 are mounted on and rotatable about the tubular members 43, each disc having a depending collar 4'! enclosing the recess 46 of the member on which it is mounted. The discs 44 are preferably symmetrically inclined downwardly and outwardly relative to their vertical axes of rotation and each provides two oppositely extending horizontal distributing tubes d8 integrally formed therewith and each connecting the recess 46 with one of the nozzles 21 mounted on the disc. The discs 44 are fastened to the tubular members 43 by bolts 49 which permit rotation of the discs and the tubes 48 about the members as an axis. Operation of the pump it forces water under pressure from the conduit 32 and in turn through the supply tubes 39, the distributing tubes 43 and through the two discharge nozzles 21 mounted on each disc 44 and from which the water is propelled rapidly in the form of sprays or jets of high velocity.

The two nozzles 21 on each of the discs M are equally inclined outwardly from the axis of rotation of the disc as shown in Fig. 4 and they are also oppositely inclined relative to a diametrical line connecting the nozzles with the result that the reaction of the two water jets upon their discharge from the nozzles causes the discs to rotate rapidly in clockwise direction as observed in Fig. 2 about the tubular members 43. The reaction from the water jets'also causes the tubes 39 to rotate in clockwise direction slowly about the conduit 32.

The rotation of the tubes 39 results from the unequal moment arms of the jet reactions at the two nozzles 21 on each disc M. The horizontal components of these reactions applied transversely to the tube 39 are equal and opposite and vary from a maximum, when the nozzles are in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tube 39 as shown in Fig. 2, to zero when the line connecting the nozzles is perpendicular to said axis. The nozzles 21 being inclined as shown, the jet reaction forces not only rotate the discs in clockwise direction, but also rotate the tubes 39 in clockwise direction about the conduit 32. The rotation of the tubes 39 is due to the unequal moment arms of the jet reaction forces.

Obviously, with the nozzles 21 inclined as shown, the jet reaction forces tending to rotate the tubes 39 in clockwise direction all have a greater moment arm than the jet reaction forces tending to rotate the tubes in counterclockwise direction, and since the two forces so acting on each disc are constantly opposed, the net result is that the tube is rotated slowly in clockwise direction, it being understood that if the nozzles 21 on each were inclined in directions opposite to those shown, both the discs 44 and the tubes 39 would rotate in counterclockwise direction. Each rapidly rotating disc 44, from which jets are propelled at high velocity, revolves slowly about the conduit 32 so that the jets from the discs are successively concentrated on the adjacent dishes at short range and for periods sufiiciently long to insure thorough cleaning.

The water thus delivered into the basket 24 as jets collects in the bottom of the tank l at a level below the distributing tubes 39. Continued operation of the pump l6 results in the water descending to the bottom of the pump through apertures 5| in the plate 36 and through a central opening 52 in the plate 3| and into the path of the rotating blades 36 and 31 by which it is again elevated through the conduit 32 and delivered into the basket 24 in the form of sprays. The material washed from the dishes descends with the water to the bottom of the tank and settles in an annular shaped tray 50 positioned in the top of the pump casing 29. The tray 56 is in two sections and is thereby easily removable from the machine for disposing of the waste material and for cleaning.

The amount of water in the machine is determined by considerations of economy and the necessity that the level be maintained below the distributing tubes 39 in order that the latter may be free to revolve. One gallon of warm or hot water is usually found suflicient for circulation and re-circulation in a machine having the capacity required for an ordinary domestic establishment and operation of the pump I6 by one quarter horse power motor I! for three minutes is found sufficient to properly clean the dishes.

As a preliminary to operating the machine, water in sufficient quantities is admitted into the pump l6 and tank I5 through a flexible charging tube 53 positioned in the space between the rear of the cabinet l0 and the tank l5. The tube 53 has, a faucet connection 54 on its upper end and is of sufficient length that the tube may be connected with hot and cold water faucets located at any convenient distance from the machine. The lower end of the tube 53 is connected by a nipple 55 with a liquid level control member 56. The lower end of the member 56 is connected with the casing 29 of the pump l6 by a pipe 51 at a level intermediate the horizontal plates 36 and 3| so that water enters the pump under faucet pressure and continues to rise in the pump and tank until the member 56 is closed by a float ball 58 when the water reaches the level shown in Fig. 1. When the ball 58 has ascended to the closed position, as shown in Fig. 6, inflow of water to the pump l6 through the pipe 51 stops and the water thereafter delivered to the member 56 through the tube 53 takes the direction of the arrows through a by-pass provided by bafiie plates 59 and 60 and is discharged through a pipe 6| connected with a vertically extending pipe 62. The surplus water discharged through the pipe 62 is delivered into a sink or drain through a horizontal pipe 63 having a swivelled connection 64 with the pipe 62. The pipe 63 is normally maintained in the full line position of Fig. 2 except during the filling operation when it is swung to any convenient position such as that shown in dotted lines wherein it will discharge into a drain or a sink. Discharge of water from the pipe63 signals the operatorthat the water has reached the required level in the machine and that the faucet should be closed to avoid waste of water.

The machine, having been filled to the required level with water of the desired temperature, the pump l 6 is started and its operation is continued for the time necessary that the sprays from the nozzles will thoroughly clean the dishes in the basket 24. The pump 16 is then utilized to discharge the soiled water from the machine and deliver it into a drain or sink through a pipe 65 connecting the pump with the pipes 62 and 63. A valve 66 controlling the pipe 65 is opened when the washing operation is completed, and while the pump I6 is still operating, whereby the water, instead of ascending in the conduit 32 and being delivered as jets into the basket 24, is forced by the pump through the pipes 65, 62, and 63 in the order named and is discharged into the sink. The evacuation of the soiled water having been completed, operation of the pump [6 is stopped and the valve 66 is closed to permit a fresh supply of water under faucet pressure to be delivered into the machine as described. When the machine is not in use, it is obviously desirable that there be complete evacuation of the water not only from the tank 15 and pump l6 but also from the liquid level control member 56 and from the supply and discharge pipes and tubes. Operation of the pump l6 with the valve 66 open starts an evacuation which continues until the water is all discharged through the pipe 63, the evacuation being accelerated and. effective by the pump forcing air through the discharge pipes. The outward and downward slope of the inner face of the head member 33 forming the bottom of the pump I6, and the'connection of the discharge pipe 65 therewith also facilitates complete drainage at the bottom of the pump.

Thus, it will be seen that the invention comprises a dish washing machine unit consisting of a tank, a rotary pump operable both to circulate water as jets and to evacuate the water, and a motor, all having their vertical axes in exact alignment and adapted to be pre-assembled for mounting in any suitable container or support, either portable or stationary, with the mov able parts revolving and rotating about the vertical axis, and the stationary parts in substantial symmetry with said axis to produce a balance of weight tending to eliminate vibration, and which by directing the water along paths substantially symmetrical relative to the axis of rotation requires aminimum of power and is economical in operation; and that by eliminating all gears and substituting a minimum number of movable parts which are easily machined, and assembled, the device is noiseless in operation, inexpensive to manufacture, requires a relatively small amount of water and the operation of which is conducive to economy of power, hot water, and time. s

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned. t

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in a dish washing machine, of a tank, a pump casing forming a downward. extension of the tank and providing a cylindrical chamber communicating with the tank, a conduit having its lower end coiled spirally and opening into one edge of said chamber and its upper end vertical and positioned in the tank, a motor actuated rotor disc positioned in said chamber and operable to deliver water under pressure through: said conduit, the axis of rotation of said disc being concentric with said tank and with said upper end of the conduit.

2. The combination in a dish washing machine, of a tank, a pump casing forming a downward extension of the tank, two horizontally extending apertured and spaced apart partition plates dividing said casing into upper, middle, and lower chambers, a conduit having its upper end vertical and positioned in the tank and its lower end coiled spirally and opening through the lower partition plate adjacent one edge thereof, a motor actuated rotor disc positioned in said lower chamber and operable to deliver water under pressure through said conduit, a liquid supply pipe having its lower end opening into said middle chamber, a liquid discharge. pipe having one end connected with the bottom of said lower chamber and its other end terminating above the tank, 'a by-pass connected with said liquid supply pipe at a point above the bottom of said tank, a liquid level control device positioned in the liquid supply pipe below the point of connection therewith of said by-pass, said liquid control device being adapted to stop the flow of liquid through said supply pipe when the water delivered thereby into the tank has reached a predetermined level and to divert excess liquid from said supply pipe through said by-pass into said discharge pipe, and a valve operable to open and close said liquid discharge pipe at a point between said chamber and the juncture therewith of said by-pass.

3. Dish washing apparatus of the kind described comprising a tank, liquid circulating means including a vertically extending cylindrical chamber connected with and suspended from.

the bottom of the tank and providing a central opening through which liquid flows from the tank by gravity, a pump impeller rotatable about the vertical axis of said chamber, a conduit through which liquid is delivered from the chamber to the tank under pressure by the operation of :the pump, the upper end of said conduit being concentric with the axis of rotation ofsaid pump and its lower end communicating with said chamber at a point remote from said axis, the bottom wall of said chamber beingslightly inclined downwardly towards a side wall thereof, a discharge pipe connected with the extreme bottom portion of said chamber and extending above the top of said tank, and a valve operable to open and close said pipewhereby operation of the pump with the pipe closed delivers liquid through the conduit and operation of the pump with said pipe open evacuates the liquid contents of the tank through said pipe.

4. Dish washing apparatus of thekind described comprising a tank, liquid circulating means at the bottom of the tank, said means including a chamber into which liquid from the tank flows by gravity, a pump impeller at the lower end of said chamber, a conduit through which liquid is discharged fromthe chamber into the tank under pressure by the operation of the pump, a charging conduit communicating with said chamber for delivery of liquid therethrough, said charging conduit providing means for connection with a faucet or the like, an automatic liquid level control devicea'dapted to close the lower end of said chargingconduit to the flow of liquid therethrough in either direction when the liquid in the tank reaches a pre-determined level below the upper end of the first mentioned conduit, a discharge pipe having one end opening into the lower end of said chamber conta ning said pump impeller and its other end terminating r above the tank, a by-pass connecting said liquid control device with said discharge pipe, said bypass'beingadapted to convey liquid contained in the upper portion of said charging conduit to said discharge pipe when the lower end of said charging pipe is closed by said liquid level controlling device,and a valveoperable to open and close said discharge pipe at a point intermediate its connection with said chamber and with said by-pass.

5. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a tank and means for circulation and repeated delivery of a limited quantity of liquid into the tank under pressure, said means comprising a cylindrical casing forming a downward extension of the tank, a partition plate spaced from the lower end of said casing to form a cylindrical chamber, a vertically extending conduit having its upper end straight and opening into the'lower portion of said tank with its center line concentric with the axis of said chamber, the lower end of said conduit being coiled and opening into said chamber through said partition at one edge thereof, a rotor disc positioned in said chamber and operable to deliver liquid under pressure from said chamber throughsaid conduit, said plate having a central opening through which liquid flows by gravity from the tank into said chamber for redelivery through the conduit into the tank.

ALBERT O. WIEGHART. 

